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WWGOA Blogger Award

Monday, March 25, 2019

The hummingbird segmentation pattern from the last post was a popular download so I thought I would design another one. I think you will enjoy this pattern especially if you have small children or grandchildren.

This teddy bear box is small, measuring a little under six inches tall. This would make a nice small jewelry box for a little girl or a trinket box for a small boy. There are also many adults who collect teddy bears who would probably love to have this box in their collection.

I kept the contouring to a minimum. To keep the box proportional I used 1/4" thick wood for the teddy bear and that does not leave much depth for lots on contouring. If you decide to enlarge the box then you could use 1/2" thick wood for the teddy bear and do more contouring.

I am not happy with the contouring job I did on the teddy bear. The body is okay but the head is sloppy. I got in a hurry and used my larger flex sanding drums for the small parts. I should have taken more time and used my small Guinevere drums for the small parts or hand sanded them. I cut and assembled this in under 2.5 hours. That was moving too fast.

Just like the last hummingbird segmentation pattern this teddy beat could be used as an intarsia pattern.

One of my least favorite duties in the shop is sanding. It's time-consuming and messy. I have spent a bunch of money trying to keep sanding time to a minimum. One of the many sanding systems I use is the Guinevere Sanding System.

This thing is crazy expensive but it works so well that after I got over the wallet stroke I was happy with the purchase. The basic system comes with the motor and accessories including the flexible shaft.

The secret to how well the system works are the air-filled drums. When you install the sandpaper sleeves on these soft drums you can sand irregular shaped parts and the drum conforms to the shape of the part. This makes contouring the wood for intarsia or segmentation projects a breeze.

Don't be fooled by the soft drums. This sander can remove lots of wood in a hurry but it is still controlled. You are much less likely to over sand with these drums than when using hard drums.

One tip for inflating the drums. They include a pump. It works but not great. I keep a can of air with the red straw. I just give the drum a half second shot of air and it's filled.

Let's Talk About Spiral Scroll Saw Blades:

The majority of times when we are cutting a project on the scroll saw we are producing art. The old saying goes that there are no rules when creating art. That's true but there are recommendations and suggestions that are generally accepted and will get you on the right track quicker. This is especially true for new scrollers.

You guys know that I get a lot of emails. One of the more common questions I receive from new scrollers is about using the spiral scroll saw blades. It usually goes something like this. "My neighbor showed me his scroll saw and told me I should use spiral blades because you don't have to turn the wood. Should I only buy spiral blades?". Oh boy.

Spiral scroll saw blades do have the appeal of being able to cut in any direction without turning the wood. That sounds great, and when needed it comes in very handy. That benefit comes with limitations. Spiral blades are almost always more difficult to control than flat blades. I will get email from some old timers telling me that's not true but from my experience teaching hundreds of new scrollers I know it is true.

Not only are the spiral blades more difficult to control for new scrollers the cut quality is often poor.

I'm not saying that spiral blades are bad. I'm saying that they are different from flat blades and have their use for special situations. I consider them specialty blades.

Spiral blades are great for cutting large portrait style patterns where turning the wood is difficult. Most of the time portrait style pattern have mostly organic shapes. For example, cutting a leaf is much different from cutting a circle. If you don't stay on the line of a leaf pattern no one will notice. The circle requires accurately cutting on the pattern line and is better done with a flat blade.

Spiral blades also generally have a larger kerf. This can be an advantage if you are cutting decorative veins and want them to stand out. It can be a disadvantage on a project where you want to minimize the kerf for a good fit. Today's segmentation project is a good example where you would not want to use a spiral blade. The wide kerf would present problems while gluing the pieces back together.

If you want to use spiral blades for all your projects, no scroll saw police will come to your house and arrest you. I have seen projects cut with spiral blades that look great, that I would never have used the spiral blade.

My words above are for those just getting started. The generally accepted method is to learn flat blades first unless you are starting out with portrait style patterns. Once you have good control of flat blades then start practicing with spiral blades. You want to be able to use both blades so you are ready for any project you want to tackle.

The cuts below were cut with a #3 scroll reverse flat blade and a #3 spiral blade. The cuts were freehand without a pattern.

Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever.

Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.

Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.

This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!

Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!

Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties.
Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.

The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make.

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order.
Click the picture to order.

You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker.
Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.

The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.

T-Shirts and More.

Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.__________________________

Disclaimer:The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.